The Baltimore Ravens fulfilled Lamar Jackson’s request on Wednesday by signing former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, including $2 million in performance bonuses.
This move not only strengthens what is now one of the NFL’s most talented secondaries but also reunites Jackson with Alexander, his former Louisville teammate and close friend.
Jackson had publicly urged Ravens GM Eric DeCosta to sign Alexander after Tuesday’s minicamp, saying, “Go get him, Eric.” Although Jackson expressed appreciation for the team’s current cornerbacks, he strongly pushed for Alexander’s addition.
After the signing, the Ravens shared a video on social media showing Jackson enthusiastically greeting Alexander with a hug and handshake. The two played together at Louisville from 2015 to 2017.
Coach John Harbaugh commented, “It made Lamar happy. I think it made everybody happy. It was a chance to improve the team today.”
Alexander, 28, was released by the Packers on June 9 after two injury-plagued seasons. Though a standout All-Pro in 2020 and 2022, he missed nearly half of his potential games since 2021. He had been set to earn $17.5 million this year, but none of it was guaranteed.
If Alexander stays healthy, the Ravens could have one of the league’s top defensive backfields. He joins a unit that already includes former first-round picks Marlon Humphrey and rookie Nate Wiggins at cornerback, and safeties Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks.
The team is expected to start Alexander and Wiggins on the outside, with Humphrey moving to slot corner.
“There’s never been an NFL coach who’s said, ‘We have too many corners who can cover,’” said Humphrey. “That’s a good problem to have.”
The Ravens are coming off a season where their pass defense ranked 31st, allowing 244.1 passing yards per game. They’ve worked to improve by hiring Chuck Pagano as senior secondary coach, drafting Starks, and now adding Alexander.
A former No. 18 overall pick in 2018, Alexander has recorded 287 tackles, 12 interceptions, and 70 pass breakups in his career.
He wasn’t available for media interviews, but safety Kyle Hamilton said, “He’s been one of the best in the league since he arrived. Having a guy like that in our secondary is incredibly valuable.”
